Needs in Student Welfare in an Educational Institute Case Study of Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University B.E 2556

Abstract

          This study was a survey research with the objective of studying the need for welfare of the students of Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University. The studied sample was the undergraduate  students from 2^nd – 4^th year  of the Faculty of  Public  Health, Mahidol University in the academic year of B.E. 2556 (Student Code begins with 53 , 54 and 55 , Total of 348 persons. Collecting data by using questionnaires during 1^st - 31^st July, B.E. 2557. There were 100 % of returned questionnaires. Statistics used for data analysis were frequency distribution and percentage. The study found that the students had the highest need for welfare in the aspect of “counseling and advice for job application” , followed by “safety in the university campus. ”For the need for information, the students had the need for information about  scholarship  and more diverse channel  to get information about the scholarship.

          The respondents suggested many alternatives for scholarship awarding system, eg. examination contest, awarding to students who show sacrificing spirit  for social service. The students did not have sufficient  understanding  about medical care benefit provided for them by the university . The  student of all classes had a high level of enthusiasm about international exchange  program for  students. 

          Research Recommendations  The information gained  from this research  could be used as guidelines for the improvement of student affairs which the researcher is involving with. The suggestion from the students about their  need would be presented to the student affair  committee for consideration in setting up a supportive system for the students in many aspects, eg.  job  application, scholarship, medical welfare benefit and caring of student in accord with their needs. The very important things to make the student welfare more effective and efficient are the gathering of information from the students who are the “customer”analyzing these information  setting “lesson learned” to be used as  guideline for the improvement of  student and adjusting the system to be  in accord  with the present context .